Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant - An Idiot Abroad In AN IDIOT ABROAD, Gervais and Merchant surprise their close friend - and close-minded curmudgeon - Karl Pilkington with a forced trip around the globe to visit the Seven Wonders of the World. This jet-setting adventure would be a dream come true for most, but it is a nightmare for Pilkington, who has no interest at all in ever leaving his comfort zone in the UK. Despite his resistance, however, he's shipped to exotic locales, including the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, and the Taj Mahal. His assignment at each destination is to learn the history of each Wonder of the World and immerse himself in the local customs. Will Pilkington, whom Ricky calls "the real-life Homer Simpson," broaden his perspective or trigger an international incident?